Fallon Sherrock has spoken of her excitement to be performing in front of a crowd again as the bwin World Series of Darts Finals kicks-off in Salzburg tonight.
History-maker Fallon Sherrock - who was initially due to compete on the World Series circuit in New York, Copenhagen, Australia and New Zealand this year following her breakthrough World Championship run.
Having last competed at the UK Open in March, Sherrock will make her highly-anticipated return to PDC action against Canadian number one Jeff Smith.
The first PDC event to be played in front of a live crowd for over six months will see up to 2,000 fans per session in the Salzburgarena, a prospect Sherrock is relishing.
"It promises to be a special night for both myself and the sport. I'm so excited to be back on a big stage with a crowd behind me," said Sherrock.
"This will be the first proper darts match I've played in person since March.
"After playing so much webcam darts during lockdown it will feel strange to have someone physically throwing in front of me.
"Obviously, it has been a bit disappointing not being able to play darts around the world and visit places I've never been to before.
"But on the other hand it might've done me a bit of good because after Ally Pally I was so busy and playing so much I think I needed a break. I've been able to re-fuel and get my energy back up.
"I love playing with a crowd behind me. It gives me a buzz and they make me play better.
"Hopefully I can play how I can and see what happens, but I know I'm up against a very tough opponent in Jeff."
Taking place from September 18-20, the bwin World Series of Darts Finals will see 24 of the world's elite stars battling it out for the £70,000 top prize.
Friday's first round of the World Series of Darts Finals will also see Glen Durrant face Dimitri Van den Bergh, while Austrian crowd favourite Mensur Suljovic takes to the stage in front of his home fans against Krzysztof Ratajski.
The world's top eight players - including reigning champion Michael van Gerwen and World Champion Peter Wright - are seeded and enter in Saturday's second round against Friday's winners.
Finals Day on Sunday will be played over two sessions, beginning with the quarter-finals in the afternoon before the semi-finals and final take place in the evening.
The World Series of Darts Finals will be shown on ITV4 in the UK, with worldwide coverage through RTL7, DAZN and other PDC broadcast partners accompanied live streaming for PDCTV Rest of the World Subscribers.
2020 bwin World Series of Darts Finals
Schedule of Play
Friday September 18 (2000 local time, 1900 BST)
8x First Round games
Harry Ward v Darius Labanauskas
Ian White v Damon Heta
Cody Harris v Dave Chisnall
Vincent van der Voort v Joe Cullen
Jeff Smith v Fallon Sherrock
Krzysztof Ratajski v Mensur Suljovic
Glen Durrant v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Simon Whitlock v Steve Beaton
Saturday September 19 (2000 local time, 1900 BST)
8x Second Round games
Schedule TBC
Sunday September 20
Afternoon Session (1245 local time, 1145 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (2015 local time, 1915 BST)
Semi-Finals & Final
bwin Tournament Winner odds
5/2 Michael van Gerwen
333/100 Peter Wright
9/2 Gerwyn Price
9/1 Nathan Aspinall
12/1 Michael Smith
18/1 Glen Durrant
20/1 James Wade
25/1 Rob Cross, Krzysztof Ratajski, Daryl Gurney
33/1 Dave Chisnall
40/1 Ian White, Dimitri Van den Bergh
50/1 Mensur Suljovic, Joe Cullen
66/1 Simon Whitlock
80/1 Damon Heta
125/1 Darius Labanauskas, Jeff Smith, Steve Beaton, Vincent van der Voort
200/1 Cody Harris
300/1 Fallon Sherrock, Harry Ward
Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy bwin.com. Subject to fluctuation.
Prize Fund
Winner - £70,000
Runner-up - £30,000
Semi-finalists - £20,000
Quarter-finalists - £15,000
Second round - £7,5000
First round - £5,000